Retro Reviews

What rider doesn’t love a look back at the motorcycles that preceded today’s tech-savvy creations? Welcome to the Ultimate Motorcycling archives; we’re revisiting some of our favorite reviews from years past, highlighting the machines that laid the rubber for what’s on today’s showroom floors. Enjoy.

2005 Ducati ST4s Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

2005 Ducati ST4s Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

Derived from Ducati’s impressive line of racing bikes, the 2005 Ducati ST4s is a capable mount that leaves nothing to be desired in handling or power.
2004 BMW R 1200 GS Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

2004 BMW R 1200 GS Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

Like a trusty Swiss Army knife, the BMW R 1200 GS has always enjoyed a militaristic functionality with regard to looks and design.
2004 Ducati 1000DS Multistrada Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

2004 Ducati 1000DS Multistrada Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

With the 2004 Ducati 1000DS Multistrada, the men from Bologna have managed to create the two-wheeled equivalent of a luxury, high performance SUV without surrendering the Italian brand’s revered lineage of attractive lines and provocative stature.
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory Retro Review

2004 Aprilia Mille Factory Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

2004 Aprilia Mille Factory Retro Review A full factory ride is the goal for any racer, and both Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga have achieved...
2005 BMW K 1200 S Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

2005 BMW K 1200 S Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

BMW, which scoffed at "crotch rocket" styling at one point, finally entered the high-speed fray with the introduction of its 2005 BMW K 1200 S.

2005 Honda CRF450R Retro Review | Total Domination

The CRF450R will frighten the meek and toss the disrespectful. At the same time it will elevate the willing novice, enthrall the astute intermediate, and level the playing field for the expert rider.

2005 Honda Gold Wing Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

Having been thoroughly disabused of any notion that the Gold Wing is little more than a two-wheeled station wagon, I would go so far as to say that between its potent acceleration, confident braking and competent cornering, the Wing feels like, well . . . feels like a real motorcycle.
2005 Triumph Thruxton for sale

2005 Triumph Thruxton Retro Review | Digging Into Archives

Providing a solid link to this past, the Triumph Thruxton proudly flaunts its illustrious history, while enjoying the benefits of being a thoroughly modern machine.
2005 Honda RC51 review

2005 Honda RC51 Retro Review – Digging into Archives

Prior to the release of the amazing CBR1000RR—Honda’s primary liter sport machine—Honda amassed a shelf of trophies with the CBR’s predecessor, the V-twin powered RC51.
1976 Kawasaki KZ900 Review - in action

1976 Kawasaki KZ900 | Motorcycle Review

The Z900 Family

The year 1967 was awash in monumental events. Summer of Love bromides aside, the image of Hendrix immolating his Strat at Monterey is a visual time stamp of a convulsive year. Change and upheaval, among other things, were in the air.